One of the main reasons mariners upgrade their marine electrical systems with lithium batteries is their increased lifespan. Even after 3,000 to 5,000 charging cycles, Battle Born Batteries will still have around 80% of their battery capacity left. Depending on your usage, your batteries could last 10-15 years. But if you want to ensure you get the most out of your investment, here are a few tips that will extend the life of your Battle Born Batteries. 

Five Tips to Extend the Lifespan of Battle Born Batteries  

1. Don’t Overcharge the Batteries 

Once your batteries have reached a 100% state of charge, it is best to decrease the voltage. The ideal charger for your marine electrical system will have settings that automatically back off the voltage to a float charge, minimizing the risk of overcharging. 

2. Decrease the Charge Rate 

Battle Born Batteries can accept a charge rate of up to 0.5c without incurring long-term damage. Reducing this charge rate whenever possible is an easy way to extend the life of your batteries. Even when plugged into power for an extended period, reducing the charge rate can add to the lifespan of your batteries. 

3. Keep the Batteries Cool  

Although Battle Born Batteries can operate in extreme temperatures, anywhere from -4°F to 135°F, keeping them at moderate temperatures is ideal. When possible, if your batteries can be stored at or slightly below room temperature (approximately 72°F), you can help extend the lifespan of your batteries.  

4. Ensure Proper Installation 

With many batteries wired together in a bank, you’ll want to ensure each battery does its equal share of work to prevent one battery from burning out before the others. This means wiring them so that the cables running between each battery are the same distance and that all connections are tight.  

5. Periodically Rebalance the Batteries 

When plugged into shore power for an extended period, it is essential to periodically bring the charge rate back up to 14.5V. Although, as mentioned above, it’s best not to permanently charge your batteries at 14.5V, regularly bringing the charge voltage back up helps them stay balanced. At 14.5, all of the cells within each of your batteries can balance, which will help extend their overall lifespan and prevent some cells from dying quicker than others.  

Want to Learn More? 

Check out the complete Marine 101 series on our YouTube channel or through the Academy page on our website. If you have further questions or need help designing the perfect marine power system, our technical sales team would love to help! You can reach them by calling (855) 292-2831 or emailing [email protected].